Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage – A Lost Art? A Retrospective Observational Study at a Canadian Tertiary Trauma Centre

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the young, adult patient in North America. The standard tools to assess the severity of abdominal trauma have been evolving. The continuing role of diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) as a clinical tool to evaluate intra-abdominal injury today remains controversial. This study investigated trends in the use of DPL, CT (computerized tomography) and FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) in trauma patients in the province of Nova Scotia's single adult tertiary trauma centre.